Make a Difference today

We usually think of blogs as a personal diary written to share with friends about our lives. But today, I've decided to dedicated an entry to a friend with a story to tell.

One week ago, my friend Sham van Boonstra-Nasution shared her on how her life changed four months ago. This was the person I met and partied with in my last trip to Sydney in August this year. The person whom, when I met for the first time, wow-ed me with her presence and confidence. But it was what another friend shared about Sham later that impressed me the most.

A recent graduate from UNSW, Sham was, until recently, President of the Singapore Students Society. The 26-year old now manages her own business consulting company out of Sydney, and shuttles between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, London and New York.

All these have now changed. In June this year, Sham was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer. She has since had lumpectomy and an axillary dissection in New York but the news has not been encouraging. 12 out of her 17 lymph nodes removed were found to be infected by cancer, which meant her cancer was spreading fast. She was then diagnosed with Stage 3A breast cancer.


Sham

Some of us might know someone who's been unfortunately stricken with the diesease but many of us think it usually hits women above 40. Well, that's not true. Both breast cancer and prostate cancer can hit men and women at any time. So do yourself a favour and remember to have a check the next time you go for a medical test.

Just two weeks after her operation, Sham took part in the City2Surf run which spanned across 14kms in Sydney; all this under 100mins. Through that event, she's raised A$30,000 for the Cancer Council in Australia through friends, family and business associates.

Despite receiving treatment in both Sydney and London, Sham's cancer has now advanced to Stage 3C. But she has not given up hope and continues to put in time and effort into raising breast cancer awareness. As some of you might know, it is Breast Cancer month. Today, Sham is raising another A$30,000 independently for the Cancer Council in Australia.

There is never a time when we think we're ready to give to a cause which might help us one day, and would definitely make a difference to the generations after us. So do your bit today, because big or small, it is the least we can do to remember those who have suffered, and are still suffering from breast cancer. Not everyone is fortunate enough to receive treatment, and no one should have to suffer this ordeal. Your contribution, in whatever small way you can, will go on to make a huge difference in finding a cure for cancer.

Log on to the Cancer Council website, enter Sham van Boonstra-Nasution and tick City2Surf with the amount you'd like to donate. Credit card payments are accepted. Sham is also extending an invitation for cash donations, which can be made to Commonwealth Bank of Australia a/c no.: 1039-2292 (BSB: 062-016). Please inform Sham of your donation through email at sham@nastyinc.org You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your donation.